Reactions to LeBron James’s decision to return to Cleveland

Cavaliers fans will again get to claim LeBron James as their star. (Jason Miller, Getty Images)

LeBron James, the Miami Heat star is no longer. The King is headed home, a move he announced in an essay for Sports Illustrated on Friday and followed with this photo on his Instagram account.

For days, weeks and months many had speculated what James might do at this point in his career. Would he actually opt out of the final two years on his deal with Miami? Would he take even less money when many believe he was already the most underpaid professional athlete? Would he leave? Where would he go? Would he even consider going back to Cleveland after owner Dan Gilbert’s infamous letter in 2010 and the sight of Cavs fans burning his jerseys?

WHAT WILL LEBRON DO?!

It’s been a question that has dominated the league for a while a now, but James eloquently explained his reasoning for wanting to return to Cleveland in the SI piece:

“I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up.”

But as respectable as his reasons for returning may seem to some, it certainly won’t please everyone, especially those in Florida. Here’s a look at just some of the reactions to his decision, from fans, fellow NBA players, executives, media and other pro athletes:

Welcome Home @kingjames. I am excited for the fans and people of Cleveland and Ohio. No fans and people deserve a winner more than them…..

Chris Dempsey arrived at The Denver Post in Dec. 2003 after seven years at the Boulder Daily Camera, where he primarily covered the University of Colorado football and men's basketball teams. A University of Colorado-Boulder alumnus, Dempsey covers the Nuggets and also chips in on college sports.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times.